Board gets update on fairground restrooms, other items

County Administrator Jeff Lawson gave a report on the fairground restroom project, a bond refinancing by the Road Commission and the Sense of Place project during Tuesday's meeting of the Cheboygan County Board of Commissioners.

County Administrator Jeff Lawson gave a report on the fairground restroom project, a bond refinancing by the Road Commission and the Sense of Place project during Tuesday's meeting of the Cheboygan County Board of Commissioners.

Lawson said three bids were opened on June 28 for the fairground restroom project.

The estimated cost of the project was $50,800; however, all of the bids received were above $70,000.

"After review with the architect, staff will reject all bids and proceed with the county serving as the general contract for the project," Lawson explained. "County staff will perform the removal of the partitions and plumbing fixtures in the building."

Lawson said that material will be purchased by the county directly from the supplier and three quotes will be sought by contractors completing each project component.

"This will provide an opportunity to complete the project as cost efficiently as possible," Lawson noted.

Lawson also reported that the Road Commission would like to refund the 2004 Michigan Department of Transportation bond series to save between $150,000 and $200,000 in interest.

"The bonds were sold by Cheboygan County as limited tax general obligation bonds in 2004 and would be refinanced under the same provisions," Lawson said. "The cost of the refinancing would be covered as part of the new bond proceeds. Repayment of the bonds would be paid from funds received by the county and distributed to the Road Commission under Act 51."

Lawson said the Road Commission will be adopting a resolution at its Aug. 8 meeting requesting the county to authorize the refunding.

Additional information would be provided once the resolution is received.

In addition, Lawson reported that contact has been made with each municipal unit from Aloha, Topinabee and Wolverine in regards to releasing the ownership and content management of each website and logo that was created as part of the Sense of Place project to each community.

The project created web pages and logos for each and also utilized links to web pages and logos for the communities of Cheboygan, Indian River and Mackinaw City, developed and owned by the Chambers of Commerce in each community.

Lawson said a letter has been developed by staff to release ownership and will be provided to the Board of Commissioners at a future meeting.

Lawson also noted that the county will be working with the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments and volunteers to set up a water trail team to inventory access sites, routes and identify cultural, business, recreational and historic assets to develop an Inland Waterway Heritage Water Trail.